By Norine Longo
You may not find the word “edutaining” in the dictionary, but you will find it at Kids Towne USA.
Co-owners Robert and Lisa Olender use the word, which is a portmanteau of education and entertainment, to illustrate what makes Kids Towne USA a place for people who want more for their kids.
Kids Towne USA is filled with more than 10,000 square feet of activities to keep tots to teens playing and learning.
The facility includes a 2,000 square foot jungle gym, four rooms for private parties and birthdays and a rock wall for climbing.
Kids Towne USA is also home to laser attractions including Lazer Frenzy, a 1,500-square-foot laser tag course, and Lazer Limbo, which is equated to Mission Impossible with laser beams coming through walls that kids maneuver around.
The Towne also has a kitchen featuring a kid-friendly menu with kid favorites like pizza, a parents lounge and six themed discovery rooms designed for kids to use their imaginations to learn and grow including Miss Ava Grace’s Schoolhouse, Lisa’s Vet Center, Alex’s Mini Market, Michael’s Construction Zone, Marielle’s Puppet Theater and Rob’s Diner.
Different areas and activities range in popularity depending on the age of the kids that come out.
Prior to opening Kids Towne USA, Lisa worked in pharmacy, sales and marketing for 20 years.
Kids Towne USA opened in March 2010. Lisa said what she enjoys most is seeing the happy faces on the kids that visit Kids Towne USA, and happy kids mean happy parents.
She said often times when kids walk into the facility, they get a ‘wow’ look on their face.
“We call it the ‘wow’ effect,” Lisa said. “I love seeing the ‘wow.’”
As the business grows, Kids Towne USA has partnered with several organizations including Computertots, Art is a Party and Kids Music Round to offer more educational options and engaging programs that integrate creativity, technology and music. In the future, Kids Towne USA may also offer classes for stay-at-home moms, family memberships and healthier menu options in their menu.
“We put out our feelers to our customers and ask them what they would want to see here,” Lisa said.
At Kids Towne USA, child safety is a top priority, Lisa said.
Children are buzzed in and out of the facility so parents can relax while their kids play and not worry about them getting lost or leaving.
Kids Towne USA has specialty nights weekdays from 5 to 8 p.m. offering different deals and themes including Funday Mondays with $5 off open play general admission, Two for Tuesdays with half off two attractions, Wacky Wednesdays with the jungle gym and free fountain drinks for four with the purchase of a pizza, Thrilling Thursdays with unlimited Mt. Kidstowne climbing and free jungle gym play and Family Fun Fridays where kids can wear their pajamas and receive half off general admission or any laser package.
Free play begins at noon and several packages are available including the different attractions.
Kids Towne USA will host a teen pajama night Friday Sept. 17 from 8 to 10 p.m. Reservations are required and include the laser maze and rock wall.
Kids Towne USA is wi-fi enabled and located at 3 Nami Lane, Suite 3 in Hamilton and is open Monday through Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (609) 838-1881, e-mail info@kidstowneusa.com or go online to kidstowneusa.com.
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